Island team hosting games Saturday, Sunday with eye on Canadian championship in October

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Nova Scotia Soccer Under-17 League is winding down, but there is still soccer to be played.

Up next for the squad are two home games this weekend against Dartmouth United. Games will be played at the UPEI turf field Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The P.E.I. F.C. under-17 boys are one of four high-performance teams from P.E.I. that currently play in the Nova Scotia league. There are also two under-15 teams (boys and girls) and an under-17 girls’ team.

“This is some of the best soccer being played on P.E.I. right now,” says manager Kevin Porter. “Coaches Peter Wolters and Andrew Bartlett have been busy all summer putting the players through their paces, they would love to see a big crowd on hand for the teams closing weekend in the Nova Scotia League.”

The team has been hitting its stride on the pitch, coming away with points in their last three weekends of play.

The team is also busy with fundraising efforts to help reduce each player’s financial commitment required to attend the Toyota under-17 soccer championships in October in Surrey, B.C.

“There are a number of expenses each player must consider, with travel and accommodations being the largest items, when attending a championship hosted in British Columbia,” says Porter. “It’s not only a huge time commitment for players with most weeks consisting of two practices and two games, but it is a serious financial commitment as well.”

The team has various fundraising efforts presently underway and more planned. Current efforts include a $450 gift card raffle, business and organizational sponsorships and Old Home Week parking in a lot directly across from the Eastlink Centre on Kensington Road.

For more information on the team or to assist them on their road to nationals in Surrey, B.C., email kevinporter@eastlink.ca.